LIMERICK is in pole position to attract further major investment from the USA according to Bill Doherty, chair of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, Mid West Region.
Mr Doherty said that despite the challenges facing the Irish and global economy,”US multinationals continue to show faith in Ireland as a good place to do business”.
Speaking at a meeting of US chief executives based in the region he pointed to new investments by Dell, Analog, Gilt, Teleflex Medical and Glass Lewis & Co in Limerick, as evidence of the city’s attractiveness to US Multinational companies.
“These companies will create over 300 new jobs in the region, as well as leading to the creation of additional indirect employment and there is much to attract additional investment.
“Shannon International Airport, the strong third level sector UL and LIT; the excellent quality of life which can be enjoyed in the region and, most importantly, the highly educated and flexible workforce available to new companies establishing in the Mid West are all highly attractive to foreign direct investment.”
Warning, however, that as a region, “we need to up the ante in terms of promoting the region internationally,” Mr Doherty said the combined expertise of the region’s city and county councils, Shannon Development, IDA Ireland, representatives of the third level sector, of Shannon Airport and of existing investors must be harnessed into an advocacy group for the region..
Describing Shannon Airport as a “jewel in the crown” for the region, he called for the facility to be developed to its fullest potential.
“Minister Varadkar’s decision to undertake a review of Cork and Shannon Airports is to be welcomed but any proposals must seek to strengthen the position of Shannon, taking into account the broader economic interests in the region and the important access to the entire western seaboard provided by Shannon Airport.”
